ATP Cofactors ®

A specially formulated high potency vitamins B-2/B-3 combination,
containing100mg of Riboflavin and 500mg of Niacin (as Inositol hexanicotinate)
per tablet

ATP Cofactors should be used as part
of a complete nutritional program, emphasizing magnesium instead
of calcium.

I. Background Information:

The unit of energy available from food is called calories. The metabolism
of the macronutrients carbohydrates, fats, and proteins supply these calories.
However, the body can not use these calories as a source of energy to
perform life sustaining functions unless these calories are converted
to a substance called ATP, which is the energy currency used by the body.

About one-half of the calories obtained from food are used to maintain
body temperature and body water in a state essential for normal enzymatic
activities and cell membrane fluidity. Therefore, 50% of the calories
ingested are converted to ATP and the other half is used to pay a form
to taxation in order to keep body temperature in the ideal range.

In order to convert food to ATP and use ATP as a source of energy, several
micronutrients are required: Vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. There
is a close interaction and synergism between these micronutrients. For example,
the B-complex vitamins, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and pyridoxine cannot
function well without being activated by phosphorilation. This phosphorilation
is magnesium dependant. Therefore, adequate magnesium is required to optimize
the performance of the B-complex vitamins.

The synthesis of ATP by intact respiring mitochondria requires the presence
of oxygen, magnesium, ADP, inorganic phosphate, and the substrates from
the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and aminoacids. The generation
of these substrates depends on the presence of adequate amount of vitamins,
minerals and trace elements. When all substances are presenting optimal
concentrations, the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane and the capacity
of the enzymatic system in the respiratory chain become rate limiting. (1)

II. Rationale for the use of ATP Cofactors

As previously discussed, ATP is the universal currency of energy used
in biological systems to maintain an organism in a state that is far from
thermodynamic equilibrium with the environment, that is far from death.
The active from of ATP is a complex of ATP with mainly magnesium, but
also with manganese. In case of manganese deficiency, magnesium can replace
manganese. The turnover of ATP is extremely high. For example, a human
at rest consumes one half of his/her weight of ATP daily.

The synthesis of ATP from ADP plus high energy phosphate group is called
oxidative phosphorilation and is dependant on the electron flow through
the electron transport chain via electron carriers (2).
NADH and FADH2 are the major electron carriers in the synthesis of ATP.
The B vitamins, niacin and riboflavin, are the precursors of the Cofactors
NADH and FADH2. These Cofactors play an important role also in the oxidation
and organification of iodide by generating hydrogen peroxide via the NADPH
oxydase system. (3,4) In some conditions, the
body cannot efficiently synthesized NADH and FADH3 from Niacin and Riboflavin
because of defect/damage to the enzymes involved in this conversion (5-8).
More Riboflavin and Niacin are needed to override the inefficient enzymes
in order to obtain adequate levels of Cofactors. Evidence for a deficient
organification of iodide was recently reported in a female subject with
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue (3) Preliminary
results in this subject and others suggest that high dosage of vitamins
B-2 and B-3 combined with 100-150mg of elemental iodine in the form of
Lugol tablets resulted in a significant improvement of overall well being
in these subjects.(3,4)

ATP Cofactors should be used as part of a complete nutritional program
emphasizing magnesium instead of calcium for best results (9-12).
We recommend the following multivitamin-mineral combinations:

Call our toll free number for more details to how use these
nutrients, or consult our Web site: http://www.optimox.com.

III. SUGGESTED USE

The recommended daily amount is one to three tablets of ATP Cofactors
a day, or as recommended by a healthcare provider. When used in conjunction
with Iodoral® 50mg tablets, the recommended amount is one tablet of
ATP Cofactor for each 50mg tablet of Iodoral®.

IV. SIDE EFFECTS

The flushing associated with niacin is avoided by using a non flushing
derivative of niacin. The Urine turns dark yellow due to the excretion
of Riboflavin and may stain undergarment in subjects with urinary incontinence.

V. BOTTLE

ATP Cofactor is supplied in bottles of 90 tablets, a one month supply at 3 tablets/day.

REFERENCES

1. Abraham, G.E., Flechas, J.D., Management of Fibromyaligia: Rational
for the use of Magnesium and Malic Acid, Journal of Nutritional Medicine,
3:49-59, 1992